British Columbia Approves First Underground Coal Mine in 25 Years

The British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines announced Monday that HD Mining had received approval for its Murray River coal project in BC. The underground coal mine is the first to be approved in BC in over 25 years.
As quoted in the press release:

The project, located in northeast British Columbia, about 12 kilometres south of Tumbler Ridge, is the first proposed long-wall coal mine in British Columbia and would be the first operating underground long-wall mining operation in Canada.
The mine’s owner, HD Mining International Ltd., estimates the capital cost for the project will be roughly $688 million. The company predicts that during its 25-year operating life, the mine is expected to create 780 jobs.
During operation, the mine will produce up to 4.8 million tonnes of clean coal per year and the company estimates the project will contribute more than $1 billion in total tax revenues to the province. HD Mining also estimates that the Murray River Coal project will contribute about $7.9 billion in direct, indirect and induced economic benefits in B.C.

BC Minister of Energy and Mines, Bill Bennet, said:

The Murray Coal Project shows that this government’s policies are working to attract global investment in British Columbia’s mining sector. Through our trade missions in China, India and other jurisdictions, we continue to build our economic portfolio, and create jobs and opportunities for British Columbians now and in the future. I think it’s also important to recognize that this mine, the first underground long-wall coal mine in B.C., will provide access to a huge quantity of high-quality, steelmaking coal while having a much lower impact on our environment.

Click here for the full press release.